Dutch Style Aquarium Guide

How to create the colourful, terraced plant displays of the classic Dutch aquascaping style.

The Dutch style

The Dutch aquarium is a horticultural showcase, packed with contrasting stem plants arranged in colourful, terraced 'streets' with no hardscape.

Techniques

Group plants by species, contrast leaf colour and texture, use terracing for depth, and prune meticulously. It is plant-intensive, requiring strong light, CO2 and rich fertilisation.